FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.10.2008 23:36

Guardiola: “We took the game very seriously”

Vanessa Forns

Pep Guardiola was keen to highlight the performance of his players after the victory against Benidorm. “We took the game very seriously,” he said after the 0-1 triumph. “But the victory is still not secured.”

The Blaugrana recorded their tenth consecutive win in all competitions with the win in the Copa del Rey, last 32 first leg and the trainer was delighted with the way that his players went about the game. “The team played like we want them to in games like this,” Guardiola continued. “We played a serious match.”

A great start

After the game, Guardiola believes that there were plenty of positives to be taken, especially from the first half. “We went out and started very well all across the pitch,” he explained. “I think that we had a very good first half and we only lacked a goal. Maybe in the second half we did not do so well, despite maintaining our discipline throughout. When a team plays like this then there is not much a coach can say.”

Positive conclusions

Guardiola was enthused by the display and continued by stating that he was going to draw “good conclusions” from the game that Barça won in the Municipal de Foietes. The trainer was also pleased that some of the players that have not have many chances this term were able to play. “It was positive because some of the squad played 90 minutes and did very well,” he added.

One of the new tactics that the coach tried was to play Sylvinho on the left flank. “He did very well there,” Guardiola said. “He was able to play on the wing and I am very pleased that he did so well.”

Faith in the players

When asked whether the felt that FC Barcelona fielding a team that was not as strong as it could have been showed Benidorm any disrespect, Guardiola responded sharply. “I never show disrespect to any team,” he stated. “The players that were named were included because I have faith in them.”